Lauren Stephens (Aegis Cycling Mixed Team) began her defence of the Tour of the Gila elite women’s overall with a dominant victory in the stage 1 individual time trial at this year’s race on Wednesday. Eric Brunner (Competitive Edge Racing) held off Owen Wright (Canel’s-Java) by just four seconds to win the elite men’s ITT.
Stephens completed the 4.5-mile (7.2km) race against the clock in 38:28 and dusted the competition. Her closest competitor fininshed one minute back, 17-year-old Sidney Swierenga (TaG Cycling) also taking the lead in the best young rider competition. Karen Villamizar Varon (PatoBike BMC) was third, 1:55 back, and one second better than Marjorie Rinaldo (Fount Cycling Guild).
Lauren Stephens rides to win on stage 1 Tyrone Time Trial and goes into GC lead (Image credit: Kevin Keller / Tour of the Gila)
Brunner stopped the clock in 33:28 in the elite men’s race in the village of Tyrone, which was enough for the win ahead of Wright. Project Echelon Racing’s duo Caleb Classen and Kieran Haug finished third and fourth, respectively.
